The Community of Madrid has organised nearly 1,300 educational activities for pregnant women and mothers in the first half of 2026, focused on the benefits of breastfeeding and childbirth preparation.
The Health Department of the Community of Madrid has deployed a total of 1,296 educational activities in the region's Primary Care centres during the first half of 2026, all aimed at supporting pregnant women and mothers in the breastfeeding process. The group sessions have also served to build support networks among participants.
Of this total, 164 workshops have specifically focused on learning about breastfeeding, 183 have addressed postpartum and parenting with babies present, and the remaining 946 have been dedicated to childbirth preparation. All of them provide practical information on various breastfeeding techniques and dispel myths that often create insecurity among first-time mothers.
On the occasion of World Breastfeeding Week, which is celebrated until August 7, the health centres in the region will display specific messages on their screens to reinforce awareness of the benefits of this practice. The campaign aims to reach both families who have already started breastfeeding and those who are about to do so.
The Primary Care Management, under the Health Department, is also continuing the accreditation process for health centres that promote breastfeeding, as part of the Initiative for the Humanisation of Birth and Breastfeeding Assistance, driven by the World Health Organization (WHO) and Unicef. The programme includes specific training for healthcare and non-healthcare staff, as well as the active promotion of this form of parenting at all levels of care.
Scientific evidence supports that breastfeeding is very beneficial for newborns: it provides easily digestible nutrients, adequate hydration, and natural defenses that reduce the risk of diseases. Various studies associate this practice with a lower likelihood of developing obesity, asthma, or allergies in childhood.
For mothers, breastfeeding aids in the recovery of the uterus after childbirth and acts as a protective factor against breast and uterine cancer. International organisations recommend maintaining breastfeeding as the exclusive method of feeding for the first six months of life and offering it within the first hour after birth.
Interested families can inquire at their health centre about the available workshops and sessions, as well as check the information screens that will be active throughout the week. Participation in these activities is free and does not require prior registration in most cases.
You may also like
